Cleaning an enameled dutch oven?

jls9595

I have let it soak for a while but this junk is putting up a fight.  I don't want to scratch the enamel, any thoughts that might make this more manageable? 

Greeno55

Never had that problem with mine, but for other caked on gunk, I've filled with water and let it simmer for a while on the stove.

glc203

Might consider a gentle oven cleaner.

Eggcelsior

Get some Bar Keepers Friend. It is a weak acid(oxalic acid) that is safe on the enamel. Le Creuset makes a solution that is also acidic, but about 3x more expensive. You can find BKF at most grocery stores, Target, or Wally world.

You can also soak it overnight in soapy water and use some elbow grease tomorrow.

Charlesmaneri

you could put white vinegar in the pot and let it soak for a while that helps don't know why maybe the acid in the vinegar but it worked in mine when SWMBO burnet preserves I think orange but the vinegar helped me 

gdenby

I have reasonably good luck soaking in white vinegar before scrubbing. I don't notice any scratching if I use plastic scrub pads to loosen the burnt stuff.

On heavily scratched enamel, I've had good results using "magic erasers" at the end, which removes almost all stain from the enamel. It is also OK to use bleach, which the enamel resists.

jls9595

thanks guys

ShadowNick

Pat it dry, pour in some veg oil, pour in a generous portion of sea salt, and scrub the salt around with a paper towel.  Repeat as needed.  The salt is coarse enough to scrap and absorb the food, but won't scratch the enamel.

Gogogordy

ShadowNick said:

Pat it dry, pour in some veg oil, pour in a generous portion of sea salt, and scrub the salt around with a paper towel.  Repeat as needed.  The salt is coarse enough to scrap and absorb the food, but won't scratch the enamel.

^^^this^^^ I add baking soda too for a nice paste

jlsm

Soak in dishwasher liquid diluted in water overnight. Use Bar Kepers' Friend to finish off. But, man, that's nasty. I've never had it that bad. 

jls9595

jlsm said:

Soak in dishwasher liquid diluted in water overnight. Use Bar Kepers' Friend to finish off. But, man, that's nasty. I've never had it that bad. 

Yeah, cochon de lait that went really really wrong, lol

jlsm

I have a nice collection of Le Creuset that my husband has given me. I never use it on the egg because he would be heartbroken if something went wrong (this has been a subject of much discussion here, and many people do use it on the egg). He gave me another piece today with a Shun knife.

Do try the dishwasher soap. It works very well.

Merry Christmas all.